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Boxing Day Test: Angry Sunil Gavaskar attacks Rishabh Pant following a reckless shot - WATCH VIDEO
"Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!" were the words from India's legendary batsman Sunil Gavaskar who was absolutely shellshocked after Rishabh Pant once again threw his wicket away when his team were under immense pressure. Pant found himself at the center of criticism after his dismissal on Day 3 of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The dynamic wicketkeeper-batter appeared to be settling into a strong innings before attempting an ambitious scoop shot. However, his execution faltered as he got a thick edge, and the ball flew towards the third-man region, where Nathan Lyon took an easy catch. Pant’s innings ended prematurely at 28 runs, leaving fans and experts disappointed.
Rishabh Pant throws his wicket away in the Boxing Day Test - WATCH VIDEO
Pant had started the day with promise, providing hope as India struggled at seven down. However, his decision to attempt the scoop shot in such a precarious situation drew ire. While the shot has often been a weapon in Pant’s arsenal, it backfired at the MCG, sparking debate about his shot selection. Many believed that in the context of the match, it was a reckless choice. Former cricketer Sunil Gavaskar didn’t hold back in his criticism of Pant’s approach. Calling the shot "stupid," Gavaskar expressed his frustration with the lack of situational awareness. He went on to suggest that Pant might as well head to the Australian dressing room instead of India’s after playing such an ill-timed stroke. The incident highlighted the ongoing challenge for Pant to balance his natural aggression with game awareness, a trait crucial for his development as a match-winner in Test cricket.
— Sunil Gavaskar (@gavaskar_theman) December 28, 2024
Sunil Gavaskar looks disappointed with Rishabh Pant wicket.pic.twitter.com/Y80c1ZVH2I
— Aashutosh Goswami (@imAashutoshh) December 28, 2024
“Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! That is not playing your natural game, (and) that is a stupid shot. He should not be going in that (Indian) dressing room, he should be going into the other dressing room,” former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar said on ABC Grandstand’s commentary immediately after the dismissal.
Australia Women's team captain Alyssa Healy and former cricketer Kerry O’Keeffe, both serving as commentators during Rishabh Pant’s dismissal on Day 3 of the India vs Australia Boxing Day Test, praised Pat Cummins for his astute captaincy. O’Keeffe highlighted Cummins’ proactive mindset in setting an attacking field, suggesting that the Australian skipper had anticipated such a high-risk shot from the Indian wicketkeeper-batter. Healy provided a more technical breakdown of the moment, pointing out that while Pant likely did not intend for the ball to travel to the third-man region, the choice of shot was inherently fraught with danger. With two fielders strategically positioned on the leg side, Cummins’ field placement made the margin for error extremely slim.
Both commentators agreed that Pant’s decision to attempt the scoop shot in such a scenario was bold but came with significant risk, particularly against a disciplined bowling attack like Australia’s. The moment underscored Cummins’ tactical acumen and the importance of adapting batting strategies to match situations, particularly in high-stakes Test matches. The dismissal not only shifted momentum in Australia’s favor but also sparked a broader conversation about Pant’s shot selection and the balance between aggression and prudence in Test cricket.
